Serena Williams At 40: Retirement And Motherhood, The Next Chapter

Serena Williams will be retiring from Tennis in the coming weeks and, for the long-time athlete, it’s the hardest thing she “could ever imagine”. As hard as it is for her to quit playing tennis professionally, she’s finally come to terms with the decision. Here’s how she plans to move forward.

Serena Williams – Calls Retirement From Tennis An “Evolution”

Widely known as the best tennis player in the world, the 23-time Grand Slam champion will be saying her last hurrah to the tennis court this September.

“I’ve been reluctant to admit that I have to move on from playing tennis,” the former No. 1-ranked women’s tennis player wrote. “It’s like a taboo topic. It comes up, and I start to cry. I think the only person I’ve really gone there with is my therapist.

“Maybe the best word to describe what I’m up to is evolution. I’m here to tell you that I’m evolving away from tennis, toward other things that are important to me.”

It’s a heartbreaking statement, not only to the mom of one, but to her fans as well, who have cheered and rooted for her in the decades she spent playing the game.

While Serena, a four-time Olympic gold medalist, “doesn’t want [tennis] to be over”, she’s down for what’s coming next. She told her fans on Instagram Tuesday that the “countdown has begun”, even though she will focus on enjoying the next few weeks.

“There comes a time in life when we have to decide to move in a different direction,” Williams wrote. “That time is always hard when you love something so much. My goodness do I enjoy tennis. But now, the countdown has begun. I have to focus on being a mom, my spiritual goals and finally discovering a different, but just exciting Serena. I’m gonna relish these next few weeks.”

Serena Williams – Wants To Redirect Her Focus To Building Her Family

Williams recently revealed that she won’t be playing professionally after the US Open – set to begin August 29 – so that she can build and be present for her family. Williams and Alexis Ohanian tied the knot in 2017 and currently share one daughter together.

“In the last year, Alexis and I have been trying to have another child, and we recently got some information from my doctor that put my mind at ease and made me feel that whenever we’re ready, we can add to our family,” Williams continued. “I definitely don’t want to be pregnant again as an athlete. I need to be two feet into tennis or two feet out.”

The announcement came a day after Williams won her first match in over a year on Monday at the National Open in Toronto.

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